Former 49er great Ronnie Lott’s dramatic play to boost Dem Ro Khanna (VIDEO)

In the South Bay, it’s all about the 49ers these days — even in politics.
Which is why the CD-17 campaign of Democratic House candidate Ro Khanna gained good yardage last week when his campaign got a boost from a trio of 49er greats — Ronnie Lott, Harris Barton, and Roger Craig.

Khanna, a former Obama trade representative, is running in one of the most high profile Congressional races in the country in the a Silicon Valley contest against fellow Democrat. He’s got support from many of the star movers and shakers in Silicon Valley, while incumbent 7-term Congressman Mike Honda has the backing of the Democratic elected establishment and labor.

But according to Khanna’s campaign website, the challenger got some one-one-one insider coaching from Lott at an event in Fremont Monday. He who “took the mic and asked all of the guests to huddle up around Ro,” then delivered an impassioned talk about how Khanna will “carry the torch.”

Here’s a look:

Lott told folks that “what I see is someone who has really taken another step, who has stepped up to inspire young people to know that they can make a change….I know you’re going to win this thing. We all believe in you.”

Then he said: “You know what I love, man? You get to break the huddle…Now, I know you don’t know anything about breaking the huddle.”

“I could lose the election right here,” joked Khanna.

“Matter of fact, I know this,” said Lott. “You’ve won the election. …we close our eyes and we dream big. We dream greatness.”

Nice play.

Sure, the former defensive back knows all about game drama, and should know this about politics: a lot can happen until the clock runs out and there’s that primary election in June 2014.

And Mike Honda’s got a pretty impressive team at his back — starting with President Barack Obama.